Sunday, February 7, 2021

In Times of Rain and War by Camron Wright

 

This is a historical fiction set in London during WW II. Our main characters are Wesley Bowers and  Audrey Stocking.  Wesley is an American Marine who is assigned to the British military learning about unexploded bomb disposal. 

Audrey has her secrets; she is a German Jew who is living in London using a false identification. She meets Wesley when he's sent to defuse a bomb.  Audrey is trying to blend in and survive all the while missing her family in Germany. She and Wesley form a friendship and develop an attraction to one another but their relationship may never have chance to develop. Wesley's chance of surviving his bomb disposal detail  is an average of 10 weeks. Audrey is hiding her identity but military intelligence officers may discover her.

It's harrowing to think of the life expectancy of the soldiers who performed these duties. Such self sacrifice and bravery, much to be admired. This novel addresses PTSD and what war can do you  emotionally as well as physically. 

As a side note, if you ever get an opportunity to watch a Masterpiece Theater program called Danger: UXB starring Anthony Andrews, it's very good. There is a more up to date movie about bomb disposal called The Hurt Locker and both can have you on edge during the crucial bomb defusing scenes.

Publication date is 6 April 2021 by Shadow Mountain Publishing.  Genre: Historical Fiction.

Much thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.  I was not compensated for my review and opinions are mine.

Sharing with Joy's Book blog for British Isles Friday and Marg at The Intrepid Reader for the 2021 Historical Ficion Challenge.




11 comments:

  1. I haven't heard of this book before that I can remember, it sounds good!

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    1. Vicki, it's probably still available for request on NetGalley.

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    1. Tandy, it's available on Netgalley if you get a chnace to request it!

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  3. Off to check NetGalley though not sure I'm ready for this level of emotional peril at the moment though it is definitely a book I want to read. Have you read or heard of the Verity Kent series by Anna Lee Huber? I'm listening to the 2nd book and really enjoying it. It sounds like it's a bit lighter then this one but it does touch on some of the effects of war without brushing past or trivializing them which I really appreciate.

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    1. Katherine, I have not heard of the Verity Kent but I will add it to my list. I think I may need a break from heartache now and I am going to tackle some nonfiction on the list.

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    2. Thanks! I'm going to give the Verity Kent series a try, too.

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  4. Replies
    1. Greg, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think NeGalley still has it offered up.

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  5. This sounds like one that I would like. I remember that an episode of Foyle's War was on this topic.

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